Information for TV Staff
TV Division - Proposed Changes to TV’s operating model
MARCH 2010
The Director of Television Kim Dalton today announced proposed changes to TV’s operating model.
Following is information on the proposed changes. Also attached are the current and proposed
organisation charts for the TV Division.
Why a new operating model?
ABC TV needs to change its current operating model from a model centred around a single,
analogue channel to a model reflecting its true outputs – one focussed around a number of
digital multichannels and multiplatform format.
With additional channels, ABC TV needs to separate its strategic outputs from the operational
requirements of the Division.
ABC TV needs to focus on its core business of aggregating content and distributing it to
audiences across a multichannel and multiplatform environment.
ABC TV requires the flexibility to support the launch of additional channels and platforms which
require distinct, yet integrated strategies and brands.
Benefits to ABC TV and the broader ABC
The proposed model will:
Deliver aligned content strategy providing ABC TV with distinct channels, distinct programming
and a healthy and competitive production model.
Allow content and programming strategies to be developed and delivered at genre, channel and
platform levels.
Allow for the introduction of additional channels.
Provide a stronger management alignment allowing the Division to increase its structural
capacity and maximise its ability to adapt within a changing media landscape and audience
environment.
What are the Key proposed changes?
Create the roles of Channel Controllers who will set the vision, branding and program strategy
for ABC1, ABC2, ABC Childrens (across ABC for Kids and ABC3) and ABC Multiplatform.
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Devolve the acquisition editorial selection process to content specialists, under the
management of the Content Heads, and create roles within the genre areas to allow the process
to be fulfilled.
Prioritise Indigenous content as a key content area for ABC TV by creating a new Content Head
of Indigenous position.
Merge all media management functions under Business & Operations.
Move the editorial functions of the current programming department to Controllers and
Content Heads.
Minimise the number of content units by merging Comedy with Drama to create Fiction and
merging Sports and Events into Factual.
Reorganise the Business & Operations department to provide financial analysis and
measurement to the Division across all areas of content production and acquisition.
Redesign business processes including ordering content (both acquired and commissioned),
editorial selection of content and Divisional reporting on performance.
There are also a number of changes to individual positions and some positions proposed to be
abolished which is detailed for each individual department in the following pages.
What Happens Now?
A series of briefings will take place from today. Further meetings can be arranged by staff
approaching their Department Head or manager.
Consultation with staff and their representatives commences today and is expected to
continue for 2 to 3 weeks. This process gives staff the opportunity to ask questions and
provide feedback and input.
During this consultation, managers will be talking to individual staff about their particular
circumstances and there will be further opportunity to discuss the proposed changes as well
as training and development for people in new or changed roles.
During this time Managers and People & Learning staff will discuss options and
redeployment opportunities with staff to minimise redundancies.
TV will be meeting with appropriate Unions to discuss this proposal.
During and following consultation staff will be advised of any changes to the proposal and
the timetable for implementation.
In the first instance and following on from today’s briefings, please refer questions to your Genre
Head or Head of Department. Otherwise contact Elizabeth Hille P&L on 82 3118.
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Current and Proposed Organisation Charts
TV Division – Current Model
Director of
TV
Manager
Executive
Support
Genre Head of
Drama
Head of
Programming
&
Acquisitions
Head of
Business &
Operations
Head of
Marketing
Head of
Children’s
Head of
Strategy &
Governance
Head of
Multiplatform
Executive
Producer of
Media
Watch
Genre Head of
Factual
Genre Head of
Arts &
Entertainment
Genre Head of
Documentaries
Genre Head of
Sports & Events
Deputy Head of
Comedy
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TV Division – Proposed Model
Director of
TV
Director of
News
Manager
Executive
Support
Controller
News
Controller
ABC1
Controller
ABC2
Controller
Multiplatform
Controller
Children’s
Deputy
Controller
ABC1 &
ABC2
Content
Head of
Fiction
Head of
Business &
Operations
Head of
Marketing
Head of
Strategy &
Governance
Executive
Producer
Media
Watch
Content
Head of
Factual
Content
Head of
Arts &
Entertainment
Content
Head of
Documentaries
Content
Head of
Indigenous
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Channel Controller Department – Proposed Structure
Director of
TV
Controller
ABC1
Deputy
Controller
ABC1 &
ABC2
Assistant to
Controller
ABC1 & ABC2
Controller
ABC2
Controller
Multiplatform
Director of
News
Controller
Children’s
Controller
News
Administration
Assistant
Administration
Assistant
Current
Multiplatform
structure
Current
Children
structure
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Genre Department - Current Model
Director of
TV
Executive
Head of
Content
Creation
NB: Drama
model is
pre triennial
funding
Genre
Head of
Drama
Deputy
Head of
Comedy
1x
Commissioning
Editor
Genre
Head of
Arts &
Entertainment
Genre Head
of Sports &
Events
Genre Head
of Factual
Genre
Head of
Documentaries
2x
Executive
Producers
4x
Executive
Producers
3x
Commissioning
Editors
1x
Assistant
1x
Development
Manager
2x
Development
Producers
1x
Development
Manager
1x
Department
Coordinator
1x
Assistant
1x
Drama
Assistant
1x
Assistant
1x
Development
Consultant
7x
Executive
Producers
NB: Genre Heads currently report
to Director of TV since Head of
Content Creation resigned in
September 2009
1x
Assistant
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Genre Department- Proposed Model
Director of
TV
Content
Head of
Fiction
1x
Head of
Comedy
Content
Head of
Arts &
Entertainment
Content
Head of
Documentaries
Content
Head of
Factual
Content
Head of
Indigenous
3x
Commissioning
Editors
6x
Executive
Producers
3x
Commissioning
Editor
4x
Executive
Producers
1 x Acquisition
Manager
1x
Assistant
1x
Acquisition
Manager
1x
Acquisition
Manager
1x
Acquisition
Coordinator
1x
Head of Sports
& Events
1x
Acquisition
Coordinator
1x
Acquisition/
Development
Coordinator
4x
Development
Managers
2x
Executive
Producer Sport
& Events
2x
Development
Manager
1x
Development
Manager
1x
Assistant
1x
Assistant
1x
Drama
Coordinator
Documentaries
will acquire most
Factual content
2x
Assistants
Page 7 of 13
Business & Operations- Current Model
Head of
Business
& Operations
Department
Coordinator
Commissioning &
Project Manager
6 x Production
Executives
1X
Commissioning &
Project
Officer
2.8 x Business
Analysts
1x
Commissioning
Coordinator
1x
Supervisor
Learning &
OH&S
2x
Production
Pool
Managers
1x
Commissioning
Development
Officer
BMS
Project
Manager
IT
Systems &
Technology
Manager
BMS
team
NSW
Production
Pool
Other
Production
Pool
0.2 x Business
Analyst
Commissions
National
Manager
Production &
Operations
Genre Management
Production & Operations
Technology & Systems
Page 8 of 13
Business & Operations Department - Proposed Model
Head of
Business
&
Operations
Content
Business
Manager
6x
Production
Executives
1X
Commissioned
Content
Officer
National
Manager
Production
&
Operations
Manager
Media
Management
2.8 x Business
Analysts
1x
Commissioning
Content
Coordinator
1x
Supervisor
Learning &
OH&S
1x
Acquired
Content
& Business
Supervisor
2x
Production
Pool
Managers
NSW
Production
Pool
1 x Acquired
Content &
Development
Coordinator
Other
Production
Pool
0.2 x
Business
Analyst
Content Business
Management
Department
Coordinator
Genre
Management
Production & Operations
5x
Schedulers
2x
Scheduling
Admin
3x
Classifiers
2x
Captioning
2x
Quality
Control/
Tape
Acceptance
BMS
Project
Manager
IT
Systems &
Technology
Manager
Media Management
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Summary of Key Changes
Divisional changes
The following changes are proposed:
Creation of Controllers for each channel output
o ABC1 & ABC2
o Childrens (change of title from Executive Head Childrens)
o Multiplatform (change of title from Head Multiplatform)
Reduction of number of Genres from 6 to 5 – with creation of separate Indigenous Genre
Content Heads (formerly Genre Heads) to continue reporting directly to Director of TV
Media management activities transferred to Business & Operations
Acquisition responsibilities within current programming department to be transferred to Content
departments
Strategic roles in programming and scheduling to be replaced by Channel Controllers
Operational positions in current programming department to be redeployed to Business &
Operations
Programming
The following changes are proposed:
The Programming department as is currently organised will be abolished
This will result in a number of positions being abolished and potentially a number of staff being
made redundant
Following is a list of roles that are proposed to be abolished:
o Head Programming
o Deputy Programmer
o Programming Coordinator
o Programmer ABC2
o Head Scheduling
The proposed changes result in the following positions being transferred:
o Assistant to Head Programming to Assistant to Controller ABC1 and ABC2
o Preview Supervisor position potentially transferred to one of Acquisition Manager positions
o Scheduling, Classification, Captioning and Quality Control/Tape Acceptance positions
transferred to Media Management
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Summary of Key Changes – continued
Controller
The following changes are proposed:
Controllers responsible for vision, branding and program strategy of ABC1, ABC2, ABC3 and ABC
Multiplatform
3 positions created:
o Controller ABC1
o Controller ABC2
o Deputy Controller ABC1 & ABC2
Genre
The following changes are proposed:
Genre department to be retitled to Content department and Genre Heads to become known as
Content Heads
Comedy to merge with Drama to create Fiction
Sports and Events to report into the Factual content unit
Prioritise Indigenous content for ABC TV resulting in the new position, Content Head of Indigenous
Creation of 5 positions to fulfil acquisitions process – 3 Acquisition Managers and 2 Acquisition
Coordinators across the various genres
Creation of Head of Fiction position
The proposed changes result in 2 positions being abolished and 2 potential redundancies.
Following is a list of roles that are proposed to be abolished:
o Head of Drama
o Executive Producer IPU
The proposed changes result in 1 Development Manager Drama, currently part-time, becoming a
Development Manager Fiction full-time.
The proposed changes result in the following positions being reclassified:
o 3 x Commissioning Editors Documentaries Band 8/9 to EL1
o 3 x Commissioning Editors Band 9 to EL1 (2 positions vacant and funded)
o Department Coordinator Arts & Entertainment Band 6 to Acquisitions Development
Coordinator Arts & Entertainment to Band 6
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Summary of Key Changes – continued
Business & Operations
The following changes are proposed:
Will provide overall management of the acquisition process, strategic channel management and
operational media management
Commissioning department retitled to Content Business Management with the following additional
responsibilities:
o Provide centralised administrative management for the acquisitions process. Monitor and report
on genre and channel strategies
o Facilitate the strategic planning and ordering process for Division
o Centrally monitor acquired and commissioned content and development budget allocation and
performance of all genres for the Division
o Provide analysis and reporting as required for acquired content (as well as commissioned
content).
Incorporate all media management activities including scheduling, classification, BMS, media
acceptance and captioning
The proposed changes result in the following positions being created:
o Manager of Media Management
o Acquired Content & Development Coordinator
The proposed changes result in the following positions being reclassified:
o Commissioning & Project Manager position (Band 8) to Content Business Manager (EL1)
o Commissioning & Development Officer position (Band 6) to Acquired Content & Business
Supervisor (Band 7)
There will be no changes to the Production and Operations area, including the Production Pool
Marketing
The following changes are proposed:
No change to current model
Childrens
The following changes are proposed:
Executive Head of Childrens to become Controller Childrens
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Multiplatform
The following changes are proposed:
Head of Multiplatform to become Controller Multiplatform
Strategy & Governance
The following changes are proposed:
No change
Media Watch
The following changes are proposed:
No change
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